Private armed security firms may operate in Northern Ireland

Thursday 01 July 10

Information has been released that private security firms like the ones operating in Iraq and Afghanistan may soon come to Northern Ireland.

Private security could soon be guarding judges, politicians, police stations and other possible targets of terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, is to ask the Policing Board to endorse the plan today.

Police urge that the plan to use private security firms will save money and free up officers for other duties.

Mr Baggot has previously outlined that he wanted to free up officers to portal the streets and police in frontline areas.  The use of private security firms could help place more police in these areas.

Basil McCrea, the Ulster Unionist chairman of the board's human rights committee, said mechanisms would have to be put in place to regulate the work of the private firms, but he is firmly behind the idea.

Sinn Fein however has concerns regarding the plan.  The party is apprehensive whether old RUC officers will be back in Northern Ireland and the level of accountability that the security officers will have.

Policing board member Alex Maskey said that the private security firms will “inter-acting with the community and we want to know how they are going to be held to account for their actions.”

Police sources insist that the jobs would be open to all, with no preference given to former officers or soldiers, and say training could be provided.